Syringe adapter



Nov. 4, 1941' w. BIERMAN 2,261,213

SYRING-E ADAPTER Filed Feb. 27, 1940 ,0 @fioi O Kym Patented Nov. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 i S YItI NGE'ADAPTER. William Bierman, New York. N. Y. I Application Fe ts. 27, 1940, Serial No. 321,007

6 Claims. prize-214) I This invention relates to syringe apparatus. More particularly, my inventionrelates to an improved construction for adapters designed for use with syringe apparatus.

Oneof the objects of my invention is to provide'a novel adapter of the class described which shall be so constructed and designed as to facilitate and improve the technique'for the introduction offluid into a blood vessel as in intravenous infusion of a chemical or other suitable solution. p t I Another object of my'invention is to provide a novel adapter of the class described which shall possess certain improved constructional features rendering the device inexpensive to manufacture, which while in use shall be easy to assemble, which shall be capable of ready disassembly for sterilization, and which at the same time shall possess a high degree of efficiency and usefulness.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel adapter of the class described which shall have means for maintaining the syringe needle in the vessel after insertion and for maintaining the apparatus in effective position.

Other objects of this invention will in partbe obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a syringe apparatus including an adapter constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figs; 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken substantially on the lines 2-2, 3--3, and 44, respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a syringe apparatus in accordance with my invention, illustrating the manner'of maintaining the same in position for effective use Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the'line 6-6 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. '7 is' a vertical cross-sectional view of an adapter construction illustrating a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substan: tially on the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 2. JReferring now in detailto the drawing, and more particularly to Figs.1"to 6 thereon I have illustrated an adapter constructed in accordance with my invention and illustrating its use in connection' with a syringe apparatus" adapted for the purpose of introducing fluid into a blood vessel as in intravenous infusion. The adapter comprisesa main body portion II having an interiorhollow chamber l2. Extending outwardly from the main body II is a tubular extension l3 provided with an axial through. passageway 14 communicating atone end with the chamber [2 and open at the opposite'end. The'bodyzpor tion II is further provided'witha tapered opening l 5 in a wall thereof, the said openingl 5 communicating with the chamber I2. Extending outwardly fromv the body portion 'll isa second tubular extension l6 providedwith airelatively large tapered opening l1'communicating with a smaller opening [8 in the wall of said bodyportion II, the said opening l8, in turn, communicating with the chamber I 2;- It is noted that the axes of'the openings l1 and I8 "are atright angles to the axes of the openings [4 and I5..

vThe outersurface of the extension l3 is tapered as shown to frictionally receive thereon a correspondingly tapered opening IQ of a standard syringe neeclleholder-HI. The passageway I4 is designed to be in alignment with the opening 2| communicating with the needle opening.

Frictionally received in the opening 15 is a valvemember 22'having the outer surface thereof tapered to correspondto the taper of the opening l5 and projecting inwardly of the chamber 12 toa point beyond 'the'opening I8 so asto close off the said opening I8 when the valve 22 is properly inserted and in'the position as shown The valve member22 is provided with a tapered opening 23' extending inwardly from one end thereof and adapted to have frictionally received therein the tip portion 25a of 1a standard syringe cylinder 25. The cylinder tip portion 25a is provided with ajpassageway '26 communicating with the opening 23 and with the interior of the cylinder 25. An opening 21 is provided in that portion of the wall ofithe valve member 22 surrounding the opening 23', the said opening 21 communicating with the opening 23 and also adapted to communicate with' the chamber I2. 1 1

It is thus seen from the abovejdes'cribed construction that with the needle Ni piercing the blood vessel when the plunger (not shown) of-the syringe 25 is drawn outwardly to create a suction, blood will be drawn in through the passageways 2| and 14, into the chamber l2, through the opening 21 into the opening 23 and then through the passageway 26 into the syringe cylinder 25.

In order that the cylinder 25, containing the blood specimen, may be removed without disturbing the position of the needle, I have so constructed my valve member 22 that it may serve as a means for closing off the opening 23 from the chamber l2 to thus prevent the escape of blood. To this end, I have provided the member 22 with an upwardly extending handle portion 28 to which there is attached for movement therewith a spring member 29 having a oammed portion 29a thereof received in a correspondingly shaped groove or recess 30 in the outer surface of the body portion H. In this manner, the member 22 is prevented from moving out of its proper position in theopening and at the same time axial rotational movement of the valve member 22 is permitted in the opening I5. The spring member 29 maybe attached to the handle 28 by providing the said handle with a pair of notches'3l extending inwardly from the longitudinal edges thereof and crimping over integral widened portions 291) of the spring member 29 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

The valve member 22 is also provided with a diametrical opening 32 disposed in the solid end portion thereof and upon rotation of said valve member 22 is adapted to be positioned in axial alignment with the opening [8. It is noted that the axis of the opening 32 is disposed at right angles to the axis of the opening 23 and is so arranged that when the member 22 is rotated to the position. shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the handle 28vertically disposed, the opening l8 will be closed off 'from communication with the chamber l2 and the opening 21 will be in communication with the said chamber 12. However, upon rotational movement of the handle 28 a distance of 90 from its position shown in Figs, 1 and 2, tothe dotted line position 28', (see Fig. 2) the communication between the opening 23 and the chamber 12 will be closed and the opening. 32 will then be in direct communication with the opening l3 and the chamber 12.

While the valve member 22 is disposed in this last named position, fluid may be introduced into the'vessel from a source of supply (not shown) through a standard adapter member 40 having a tapered tubular portion 4| frictionally received in the correspondingly tapered opening 11 and having attached at the opposite end thereof a rubber tube 42 communicating directly with the source of supply in the customary manner. In this way, the fluid which it is desired to introduce in a blood vessel, is permitted to flow through the opening. 13 into the chamber 12 and then through the passageways l4 and 2| and through the needle into the said blood vessel.

In order to limit the rotational movement of the handle 28 so that the openings 32 and 21 will be in proper selective alignment with the chamber I2, I have. provided a lug 43 which may be integral with the body portion l I and which is so disposed as to be in abutting relationship with the handle 28 whenthe said handle is in vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2. In order to limit the counter-clockwise rotational movement of the handle 28 from its vertical position to a distance of 90, I- have provided a shoulder portion 44011 the body II so that the handle will abut the said shoulder 44 when in the dotted line position 28'. In order to provide for the ready removal of the valve member 22 for sterilizing purposes and to facilitate the reassembly thereof, I have provided a corner of the body portion II with a 45 chamfer Ha leading from the edge to the groove 30 so that the said spring portion 29a will freely pass from the end thereof to a position in the groove 30, such latter position being represented by the handle in its position 28" as shown in Fig. 2. From this 45 position 28" of the handle 28, the said handle may be turned either clockwise or counter-clockwise to cause the spring portion 29a to ride in the groove 30, to selectively arrange either the opening 32 or the opening 21 in communication with the chamber I 2.

It isthus seen from the above described construction that I have provided an adapter which can be applied to any standard syringe, needle and infusion connections. The ease with which the adapter may be directly connected to the syringe and needle represents an advantage inasmuch as only a few drops of solution or blood are lost by its use. It is also noted that a distinct advantage flowing from my invention lies in the fact that theadapter is so designed as to permit the removal ofthe entire syringe and its contents therefrom after the valve member 22 has been operated to close off the opening 21 from communication with the chamber 12. This permits the infusion fluid to flow from its source directly into the blood vessel. This facility for the removal of the syringe and its contents permits, of the taking of specimens of blood for laboratory investigation at any desired time during the infusion process without the necessity of disassembling the entire apparatus from the needle. This is of extreme importance since it helps to maintain the fixed relationship of the needle within the blood vessel.

In. accordance with my invention, I have also provided improved means whereby the syringe apparatus, including the adapter, is maintained in any desired position during its effective use. As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, I have provided a pair of notched portions 45 in the upper part of the body H of the adapter and disposed on opposite sides of the extension 16. In these notched portions 45 are suitably mounted rail members 46. ,A pair of flat spring members 41 are provided, each of which is looped over a rail 46 as shown in Figs, 3 and 5, the opposite free ends thereof being permitted to rest upon any portion of the body on which it is desired to position the syringe apparatus.

In Fig. 5 where there is illustrated a diagrammatic sectional view of an arm, I have shown the members 41 resting on the arm A on opposite sides of the adapter assembly. The said free ends 4111 of the members 41 may be taped directly to the arm A by any suitable adhesive tape members 48. It is thus seen that once the adapter :is properly positioned and the vessel pierced, theneedle and adapter remain in such position throughout their effective use. If desired the outer ends of the flat springs 41 may also be connected to each other by any suitable meanssuch as for example, an elastic band.

In: Figs; '7 to 9, I have shown a modified form of my invention in which, instead of the syringe cylinder part 25 being frictionally received in the valve member 22, the same is mounted directly on anintegral extension of the adapter. The adapter in this form of my invention may comprise a main bodyportion 56 having a tubular extension 5| "similar to the extension I3 and adapted to have mounted thereon the needle part 20 of'the syringe anda tubular extension 52 similar in function and design to the extension I6.

Instead of the opening [5,1 provide athird tubular extension 53 having a tapered opening 54 adapted to frictionally receive therein the-correspondingly tapered portion and 'the cylinder part 25. The extension 5;! is provided with an opening 55'and the extension 52 is'provided with a tapered opening 56sirnilar to the opening I! and the'constricted opening 51 communicating with the opening 56. A: valve member 58'having an external't'apered surface is received in a correspondingly tapered opening 59 in the main body portion 50 as shown in Fig. 8. To maintain the valve member 58 in position and at the same time to permit rotational movement thereof, there is provided a construction similar to that shown in the Figs. 1 to 6 form of my invention, namely the handle portion 60 having attached thereto a spring member 6| having a cammed portion 6 la received in a corresponding recess 62 similar in design and arrangement to that of the recess 30. The valve member 58 is preferably of solid construction and is provided with an opening 63 passing diametrically therethrough and with a second opening 64 at right angles to the opening 63 and communicating therewith. In other words, the valve member 58 is provided with a substantially T-shaped opening. The operation of the Figs. 7 to 9 form of my invention is similar to that of the operation hereinbefore described in connection with the Figs. 1 to 6 form. That is, the valve member 58 may be rotated to selectively position the opening 63 in axial alignment and in communication with the openings 55 and 54 to permit the use of the device as a syringe member or to withdraw a quantity of blood for laboratory test purposes. In such position as shown in Fig. '7, the handle 60 will be vertically disposed. After the blood specimen has been obtained, the valve member 58 may be rotated in a clockwise direction until the opening 64 communicates with the opening 55. it is noted that a portion of the opening 63 will be in communication with the opening 51. In other words, the fluid which it is desired to inject into the blood vessel will flow through the passageways 51, 63, 64 and 55. In this form of my invention, means are employed, similar to the spring members 41, for maintaining the adapter in effective position. However, in this form instead of the members 41 being attached adjacent the top of the body portion, in order to provide for the free rotational movement of the valve 58, the members 65, similar in design and function to the members 41, are preferably looped over rail members 66.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An adapter according to claim 4,,in which the means for rotatably mounting said valve At such position,'

member in said third opening comprises a handle ons aid valve member, a groove in the outer surface of said main body and a resilient member fixed to said handle for movement therewith, said resilient member having a'p'ortion slidably received in said groove.

2. For use with a syringe, an adapted comprising a body portion having a plurality of passageways and a rotatable valve plug mounted in said body portion and adapted-to selectively intercontie ct said passageways, said valve member being provided with a handle having a pair of oppositely disposed notches, said body portion having a groove running transversely to the axis of rotation of said plug, a resilient member provided with a pair of arms disposed in said notches and gripping said handle, a portion of said resilient member being slidably received in said groove.

3. For use with a syringe, an adapter comprising a main body, a chamber in said main body, a first opening in the wall of said body adapted to communicate with the opening in a syringe needle, a second opening in the wall of said body adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, said first and second openings communicating with said chamber, a third opening in the wall of said body, a valve member, means for rotatably mounting said valve member in said third opening, said valve member filling only a portion of said chamber and having a portion thereof extending into said chamber and lying across and sealing off the entrance of said second opening into said chamber, and a passageway in said valve member portion adapted upon selective angular positioning of said valve member to have one end thereof in registration with the entrance of said second opening into said chamber and the other end thereof in communication with the unfilled part of said chamber.

4. For use with a syringe having an attachment portion, an adapter comprising a main body, a chamber in said main body, a first opening in the wall of said body adapted to communicate with the opening in a syringe needle, a second opening in the wall of said body adapted to be connected to a source of fluid supply, said first and second openings communicating with said chamber, a third opening in the wall of said body, a two-position valve member, means for rotatably mounting said valve member in said third opening, said valvemember filling only a portion of said chamber and having a portion thereof extending into said chamber and lying across and sealing off the entrance of said second opening into said chamber, a passageway in saidvalve member portion adapted upon disposition of said valve member in the first position to have one end thereof in registration with the entrance of said second opening into said chamber and the other end thereof in communication with the unfilled part of said chamber, a second chamber in said valve member adapted to receive therein the attachment portion of said syringe, said portion filling only a part of said second chamber, and a third opening in the wall surrounding the unfilled part of said. second chamber, said last named opening being so disposed that when said valve member is in said first position the exit of said third opening from said valve member will be sealed off by a portion of the interior surface of said main body and when said valve member is in its second position said exit will communicate with the unfilled portion of said first chamber.

5. For use with a syringe, an adapter comprising a body portion having a plurality of passageways, a rotatable valve plug mounted in said body portion and adapted to selectively interconnect said passageways, said adapter having an outlet for receiving a needle, the axis of said outlet being adapted to be disposed substantially parallel to the skin surface in which the needle, is inserted, and a pair of oppositely disposed retaining members pivotally mounted on said adapter body, the unattached ends of said retaining members being adapted to rest against the skin and to be adhesively held thereto, each of said retaining members being rotatable in a plane transverse to the axis of said outlet.

6. For use with a syringe, an adapter comprising a body portion having a plurality of passageways, a rotatable valve plug mounted in said body portion and adapted to selectively interconnect said passageways, said adapter having an outlet for receiving a needle, the axis of said outlet being adapted to be disposed substantially parallel to the skin surface in which the needle is inserted, and a pair of oppositely disposed resilient retaining members pivotally mounted on said adapter body, the unattached ends of said retaining members being adapted to rest against the skin and to be adhesively held thereto, each of said retaining members being rotatable in a plane transverse to the axis of said outlet.

WILLIAM BIERMAN. 

